Ditch cleaners or trenchers



March 20, 1962 Filed Aug. 26. 1960 A. H. CROUCHER 3,025,618

DITCH CLEANERS OR TRENCHERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 20, 1962 A. H. CROUCHER DITCH CLEANERS 0R TRENCHERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 25, 1960 Inven 7 2 United States Patent DlTCl-l CLEANER 0R TRENCHERS Antony Harry Croucher, Hamewood, West End Lane, Eslrer, England Filed Aug. 26, 1960, Ser. No. 52,183 1 Claim. (ill. 37-85) This invention relates to a ditch cleaner or trencher.

The invention consists of a ditch cleaner or trencher comprising a rotatable supporting drum and a frame pivotally supported thereon and carrying a prime mover and circulating excavating means driven from the prime mover, the excavating means circulating in planes parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum along a path which includes a horizontal lower portion for cleaning the floor of the ditch or trench on which the drum rolls and outwardly inclined sloping side portions for cleaning the side walls of the trench.

Conveniently, the prime mover and excavating means are located respectively behind and in front of the drum in relation to the direction in which it is intended to be pushed, and are balanced against each other to facilitate handling.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of an implement according to the invention, in operation.

FIGURE 2 is a front end view.

The drum 1 is of sheet metal and revolves around an axial shaft 2. Shaft 2 carries a tubular frame 3 which supports a two-stroke internal combustion engine 4 connected by a belt drive 5 to a reduction gear 6.

The reduction gear 6 provides a right-angle drive over a slipping clutch 7 to a toothed Wheel 8. Toothed wheel 8 drives a chain 9 circulating round pullays 10, 11 and 12.

Pulleys 10 and 11 are mounted on slotted sub-frame member 3a and pulley 12 on a sub-frame member 3b.

Pulley 12 drives a pair of chains 13 and 14 which pass over pulleys 15, 16 and 17.

Pulley 15 is mounted through sub-frame member 317 and on to the main frame 3.

Pulley 16 is mounted through a sub-frame member 3c similar to 3b but on the opposite side on to frame member 3.

Pulley 17 is mounted in a slotted member 3d attached to sub-frame member 30.

To the chains 13 and 14 are fixed excavating members 18 at intervals.

Pulley 11 drives a chain 19 which drives a circular cutter 20 mounted on frame 3 to assist the excavating action.

The frame 3 has secured thereto at the rear an adjustable pushing handle 21.

Shaft 2 also carries a forward or pulling handle 22 mounted thereon for use when required.

Shields 23 and 24 are mounted on frame 3 behind the circular cutter.

A deflector 25 adjustable for angle is also mounted on frame 3 at the top of the upward passage of the cutters.

A scraper blade 26 is fitted to frame 3 to drum 1.

Sub-frame member 317 is attached at the top end by a link 27 to the frame 3. The attachment to frame 3 may be made over one of a number of bolt holes to allow for adjustment of the scope of the slide Wall of the trench to be cut or cleaned.

A similar link 28 is provided to join the top of subframe lie to frame 3 also over one of a plurality of bolt holes.

Member 30 is made telescopic to allow the member 3c to pivot to prevent breakage of the chain by soil running thereunder.

In operation the drum 1 rolls along the floor of a trench 29 to be cleaned, pushed by a man who holds the frame 3 balanced or inclined at will, While the excavating members 18 are driven from the engine 4 and clean out detritus from the trench and fling it out to some distance under the control of the deflector 25.

A second man can pull on handle 22 Without in any way upsetting the balance as controlled by the first man.

The slipping clutch 7 gives overload protection in the event of the excavating member 18 striking an obstruction.

The excavating members 18 and circular cutter 20 may be suitably studded with tungsten carbide.

What is claimed is:

A ditch cleaner or trencher comprising a rotatable supporting drum, a frame pivotally supported thereon, a prime mover and a circulating excavating means driven from the prime mover, the excavating means circulating in planes parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum along a path which includes a horizontal lower portion for cleaning the floor of the ditch or trench on which the drum rolls and outwardly inclined sloping side portions for cleaning the side walls of the trench, the prime mover and excavating means being mounted on the frame and located respectively behind and in front. of the drum in relation to the direction in which it is intended to be pushed and being balanced against each other to facilitate handling, pushing and balancing handles mounted on the frame, and a pulling handle connected with the drum for advancing it without upsetting the balance of the frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,225,327 Hartsough May 8, 1917 2,412,705 Jaques Dec. 17, 1946 2,494,741 Boyd Jan. 17, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 134,549 Great Britain July 15, 1920 12,057/28 Australia Mar. 2, 1929 1,073,592 France Mar. 24, 1954 1,077,074 France Apr. 28, 1954 745,439 Great Britain Feb. 29, 1956 

